Rare Tree Found After Decades In Tobago Forest

Added: 2026-04-29

[00:00:00]Right behind me stands a very special tree to the main ridge rainforest here in Tobago. It's called a blue copper tree. Why is this tree being singled out? Well, its existence has long eluded forest workers.

[00:00:15]>> For years, we have been trying to identify this tree because to some of us, it is a new species. We know it is here, but we just couldn't recognize it because of the closeness in the leaves to the clusia.

[00:00:30]>> According to retired acting conservator of forest, William Trim, the blue copper tree was detailed in early 20th century studies of Tobago's rainforest. We're privileged to have had in the past in 1943 1944 JS Beard who did the vegetation identification of Tobago.

[00:00:52]>> The blue copper tree was also significant to earlier generations of Tobogonians.

[00:00:58]Unfortunately, it was a practice long ago to se tree seat tree to mark where you're passing, not to get lost or to leave messages. Whenever it was cut, the exudate or the liquid that comes out of it or you could say sap, it turns blue after a while. Following the devastation of Hurricane Flora in 1963, large sections of the forest were destroyed. When forest workers returned to work in the forest, they were unable to identify the blue copper trees as they once knew it. I think the main problem about this tree um or officers including myself who are custom seeing it to be a huge tree and when you go to the um to to close to the trunk is so huge with buttress roots or wing roots that if you see it when it's not very old or very large it's hard to identify.

[00:02:02]However, many young trees existed. After many years of searching and researching, Trim said they were finally able to positively identify the tree, which is often visible in plain sight. It is seen often covered in parasites like the parrot apple or standing tall amongst other trees in lower montine rainforests like the main ridge. So if you're driving about and you're looking at the forest in a lower mine rain forest, once you see a tree pop out above the canopy, it is most likely a blue copper tree.

[00:02:38]>> The tree also produces nectar and fruit that sustains many birds. Its rediscovery prompted forest workers to name a trail after it along with an award to honor those who contributed to the forest at a special gala carded for Thursday. The main ridge rainforest has many more secrets and treasures to discover. I am Candace Jackson reporting for TT News.